- Title: Latest N. Korea launch demonstrates new level of capability -experts
- Date: 5th July 2017
- Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JULY 5, 2017) (REUTERS) MICHAEL ELLEMAN, SENIOR FELLOW FOR MISSILE DEFENSE AT THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES, SEATED FOR INTERVIEW AND TALKING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL ELLEMAN, SENIOR FELLOW FOR MISSILE DEFENSE AT THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES, SAYING: "This is a new system because they've taken two existing components from other systems that existed and put them together to create a new capability." CLOSE UP OF ELLEMAN'S FACE WHILE HE SPEAKS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL ELLEMAN, SENIOR FELLOW FOR MISSILE DEFENSE AT THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES, SAYING: "So I suspect that once they create, successfully test, something that could strike Burbank or Kansas City, they'll test it three or four more times and say 'we're good'. They won't be as demanding as the United States. So this could shorten the time frame to, you know - 2019, 2020 - before they have that capacity." WIDE SHOT OF ELLEMAN NEXT TO CONFERENCE TABLE WHILE HE SPEAKS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MICHAEL ELLEMAN, SENIOR FELLOW FOR MISSILE DEFENSE AT THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES, SAYING: "It's interesting that he chose to test a missile that crosses this kind of definitional threshold but doesn't threaten the entire United States. And it would indicate to me two things: One, they don't have the capacity test a missile that could reach the continental United States. But two, he may be worried that testing something that could reach, say, Kansas City would be a red line that he has crossed; meaning, Kim Jong-Un. So, he may be trying to temper expectations or creep up on what he really wants without as much political fallout by using salami tactics."
- Embargoed: 19th July 2017 20:01
- Keywords: North Korea Pyongyang nuclear threat missile launch ICBM
- Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES / UNKNOWN LOCATION
- City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES / UNKNOWN LOCATION
- Country: USA
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,International/National Security
- Reuters ID: LVA0026OFZOZR
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Taking a major step in its missile program, North Korea on Tuesday (July 4) test-launched an ICBM, which some experts believe has the range to reach Alaska and the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
"This is a new system because they've taken two existing components from other systems that existed and put them together to create a new capability," Michael Elleman, Senior Fellow for Missile Defense at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Washington, told Reuters on Wednesday (July 5).
"I suspect that once they create, successfully test, something that could strike Burbank or Kansas City, they'll test it three or four more times and say 'we're good'," Elleman said, adding that he did not feel Pyongyang would reach that capability stage until 2019 or 2020.
The test, the first of its kind by North Korea, led to the United States, Japan and South Korea requesting an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday, scheduled to start at 3 p.m. (1900 GMT). The council is currently chaired by China.
The U.S. military assured Americans on Wednesday that it was capable of defending the United States against any threat from North Korea's newly developed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which Pyongyang says can carry a large nuclear warhead.
"We knew this day was going to come," Harry Kazianis, Director of Defense Studies at the Center for the National Interest told Reuters on Wednesday.
"And now really the next focal point is what comes after... The next escalation that we have to worry about is when the North Koreans test a hydrogen bomb and then are able to put that on a missile. Because that's essentially a city killer that could kill millions," Kazianis said.
Still, Elleman cautioned that Pyongyang's nuclear missile threat should not be judged on one test alone. He said the "alarm" over the latest launch could have a "positive" effect by pushing the U.S., its allies and the international community to consider more options to resolve the issue, including what he said were the "inevitable" dialogue and negotiations with Pyongyang.
The July 4 missile test is a direct challenge to U.S. President Donald Trump who has been urging China, North Korea's main trading partner and only major ally, to press Pyongyang to give up its nuclear program. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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